Robert Edward Auctions (REA) recently held their highly anticipated March Encore auction, where vintage card collectors and enthusiasts eagerly participated in a bidding frenzy that resulted in record-breaking sales. The highlight of the auction was the sale of a 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth card in PSA EX-NM 6 condition, which fetched an impressive $32,400, setting a new benchmark for similar cards in the market.
The excitement didn’t stop there, as two Ty Cobb cards stole the spotlight by setting new records. A 1911 E94 George Close Candy in SGC POOR 1 condition sold for $28,000, while a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder in PSA EX 5 with a Tolstoi Back commanded a price of $27,600, much to the delight of collectors and investors alike.
The auction featured a staggering array of over 3,300 lots, which generated a total of over $1.3 million from nearly 66,000 bids, underlining the robust interest in vintage cards within the collecting community. Notable sales included a 1976 Topps #500 Reggie Jackson in PSA GEM MINT 10 condition, which sold for an impressive $30,000, a 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie in PSA MINT 9 condition fetching $25,200, and a 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie in PSA VG+ 3.5 condition that went for $23,400.
Several other noteworthy items piqued the interest of bidders, such as a 1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet Honus Wagner in PSA GOOD 2 (MK) condition and a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition, each selling for $14,400, demonstrating the enduring appeal of iconic players in the collectibles market.
Rare items also commanded significant attention, with an Extremely Rare 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth box part and an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter John Clarkson in PSA EX-MT 6 condition fetching $10,800 and $8,100 respectively, breaking previous auction records for similar pieces.
The auction witnessed additional records being set by a Billy Southworth Single-Signed Baseball, a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait in PSA POOR 1 condition with a Brown Hindu Back selling for $7,500, and a 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition achieving a price of $5,280, further solidifying the buoyancy of the vintage card market.
REA’s President, Brian Dwyer, expressed his delight at the auction’s success, citing it as a testament to the enduring strength of the vintage market. The remarkable outcomes of the March Encore sale have set an optimistic tone for the upcoming Spring Catalog Auction, leaving collectors eagerly anticipating the next wave of iconic pieces to hit the market.